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A Player's Guide to Dark Ages: Mage
The Setting: A World of Magic, Mystery, and Strife
The Dark Ages (roughly 800–1300 CE) is a time when superstition and religion dominate the minds of the masses, but hidden in the shadows are the true forces of magic. The world is rife with conflicting beliefs, religious zealotry, and power struggles, making it a precarious time for a mage to exist. Ancient magical traditions persist alongside the rising power of Christianity, and factions vie for dominance over both mundane and mystical realms.- The World of Magic: The world is shaped by the perceptions and beliefs of its inhabitants, which mages know can be bent, twisted, and altered through the proper use of magic. Magic is both personal and abstract—mystical forces of the universe called "Arcana" can be manipulated by those with the knowledge and power to do so. Mages draw on these forces to shape reality according to their will.
- The Mage's Curse: In Dark Ages: Mage, mages are not only powerful but also burdened with the knowledge and responsibility that comes with their abilities. Unlike other supernatural beings, mages can lose themselves to their own magic, becoming corrupted, consumed, or even destroyed. The temptation to use magic for selfish or destructive purposes is a constant threat.
- Secret Orders: Mage society is divided into Orders and Traditions, each with its own philosophies and goals. Some of these Orders seek to preserve ancient knowledge, while others work to reshape reality itself. The nature of these orders—and how they interact with each other—forms a complex and often dangerous network of intrigue, alliances, and rivalries.
The Core Themes of Dark Ages: Mage
- Power and Responsibility: Mages wield immense power, capable of altering the world around them with a thought. But this power is often a double-edged sword. The greater the magic, the greater the risk of losing one's self-control, mind, and even soul to the forces they manipulate. Magic, like any powerful tool, comes with consequences.
- Faith and Conflict: The Dark Ages is a time when the Church has a powerful influence, and the Inquisition hunts heretics and witches mercilessly. Mages are often seen as threats to religious order, especially those who manipulate supernatural forces. The conflict between the institutional power of the Church and the spiritual freedom of the mages is a constant source of tension.
- Discovery and Knowledge: Mages are seekers of forbidden knowledge, striving to understand the mysteries of the universe and master the forces that shape reality. But knowledge is dangerous; the deeper a mage delves into the unknown, the more likely they are to encounter dark forces or unravel their own sanity.
- The War with the Abyss: The Abyss represents the fundamental corruption in the world—a force that erodes magic and seeks to undo reality itself. The Abyss is an ever-present threat, waiting to claim mages who stray too far into forbidden realms or indulge in magic that defies natural law. The Abyss is a constant struggle for any mage, always lurking at the edges of their magic.
Key Concepts and Mechanics in Dark Ages: Mage
- Arcana: Arcana are the fundamental forces of magic in the world. These magical spheres govern different aspects of reality, such as matter, time, mind, and spirit. A mage may specialize in a particular Arcanum or attempt to weave together multiple Arcana to achieve their desired magical effect. Understanding these Arcana is crucial to mastering magic in the Dark Ages.
- Correspondence: Magic of space and distance, bending the rules of time and location.
- Entropy: Magic of decay, death, and entropy that causes things to wither and break down.
- Forces: Magic of energy, fire, electricity, and motion.
- Life: Magic of living things, from animals to plants to human beings.
- Matter: Magic of the physical world, the transformation and manipulation of physical substances.
- Mind: Magic of thought, perception, and the manipulation of minds and consciousness.
- Prime: Magic of the raw essence of magic itself, the "stuff" of the universe.
- Spirit: Magic of the supernatural, communication with spirits and the dead.
- Time: Magic of the flow of time, the manipulation of past, present, and future.
- Spheres: A mage's mastery over an Arcanum is divided into Spheres, which represent levels of magical proficiency in a specific Arcanum. The higher the Sphere, the more powerful and complex the mage's magic becomes. Spheres range from 1 to 5, and mages advance in their Arcana by gaining new levels of expertise.
- Gnosis: Gnosis represents a mage's connection to the mystical and supernatural. It is the foundation of their magical power. A mage's Gnosis dictates the depth of their understanding of magic and the degree to which they can influence reality. Gnosis is a precious resource, and it can be improved over time, but it is also something that can be lost if a mage succumbs to corruption or the Abyss.
- Willpower: Willpower represents a mage's mental and spiritual fortitude. It allows them to resist temptation, overcome fear, and push through physical and emotional barriers. Willpower is a critical resource for mages, used to power their magic or to resist the influence of the Abyss.
- Paradox: Using magic in the world of Dark Ages: Mage can result in Paradox, a backlash of magical energy that destabilizes reality. The more "unnatural" a magical effect seems, the more likely Paradox is to occur. Paradox can be dangerous, causing magical accidents, attracting unwanted attention, or even resulting in the destruction of the mage's soul.
Creating a Mage Character
- Choose a Tradition: Mages in Dark Ages: Mage belong to different magical traditions, each with its own philosophy, goals, and practices. The Tradition you choose defines your character's worldview and approach to magic.
- The Order of Hermes: Scholars and practitioners of deep magical theory, the Order of Hermes is the oldest and most prestigious Tradition. Its members are often aristocratic or deeply learned in the magical arts.
- The Verbena: These mages are deeply attuned to nature, drawing their magic from the cycles of the Earth and the powers of life and death. Verbena are often seen as witches or druids.
- The Akashic Brotherhood: Masters of both physical and mental discipline, the Akashic Brotherhood believes in mastering the self to achieve enlightenment and control over magical forces.
- The Celestial Chorus: Mages of the Celestial Chorus believe that the divine is present in all things, and they seek to bring about a world of spiritual harmony through their magic.
- The Cult of Ecstasy: Focusing on the power of sensation, perception, and altered states of mind, the Cult of Ecstasy practices magic through rituals of self-discovery, indulgence, and transcendence.
- Choose a Path: The Path a mage follows is a representation of how they view magic and their role in the world. Some Paths are more rigid, while others are more freeform.
- The Path of Forces: Embracing the raw energy of the universe, those on this Path manipulate physical forces.
- The Path of Life: A focus on the vitality of living beings, those on this path often seek to enhance, transform, or even heal life itself.
- The Path of Mind: Exploring the mental, psychic, and telepathic powers that lie beyond physical reality.
- Choose Arcana and Spheres: Based on your Tradition and Path, select the Arcana and Spheres your character will focus on. The number of Spheres you can access depends on your Gnosis level, and your Tradition may limit or emphasize certain Arcana.
- Character Traits: As with other games in the World of Darkness line, you will define your character's background, strengths, and weaknesses using Traits like Attributes (Strength, Intelligence, etc.), Abilities (skills), and Virtues (moral codes). These will help determine how your character interacts with the world and other mages.
The Role of the Mage
Mages are often outcasts, renegades, or hidden in plain sight within society. They are constantly challenged by the dangers of their powers, the threat of the Inquisition, and the potential for corruption. As a mage, you will need to navigate a world filled with intrigue, conflict, and moral dilemmas. Your magical power is both a blessing and a curse, and how you choose to wield it will define your character's path.Storytelling Tips for the Storyteller
- Focus on the Mystical: Magic in Dark Ages: Mage is
a mysterious and wondrous force, but it is also fraught with dangers and consequences. Encourage your players to explore the beauty and the horror of magic, and let them face the temptation of using it for selfish reasons. Keep the focus on the mystical, the unknown, and the philosophical aspects of the mage's power.
- Integrate the Shadow: Mages are constantly struggling with the potential to lose themselves to the Abyss. Their power is never without risk, and the corruption of their magic is an ever-present threat. Make sure that players feel the weight of their abilities and face moments where their darker desires or fears might tempt them. Allow them to make moral choices about whether to walk the line between enlightenment and corruption.
- Use Paradox and Consequences: Magic in Dark Ages: Mage is not without its dangers. Paradox should be a recurring theme—whenever players use magic in ways that defy natural law or go too far beyond what is believable in their world, Paradox should create consequences. These consequences might be subtle (increased suspicion from mortals, difficulty casting magic, or strange phenomena occurring) or more severe (reality bending in unexpected ways, attracting the attention of the Church, or unleashing uncontrollable forces). This encourages players to think carefully about how they use their powers and reminds them of the delicate balance between their magical nature and the world they inhabit.
- Interfactional Politics and Conflict: The Traditions and Orders that mages belong to are not all harmonious. The Orders often clash over philosophical differences, goals, and the way magic should be practiced. Rivalries between these groups can provide rich storytelling opportunities. For example, a player might be asked to mediate a conflict between two Traditions or decide where their loyalty lies when their Order's interests conflict with those of another. These politics can extend into personal betrayals, struggles for power, and dangerous alliances, all of which can make the world feel more alive and dynamic.
- The Inquisition: The Church and the Inquisition are powerful forces in the Dark Ages, and their hatred for magic is well-known. Use the Inquisition as a source of external conflict, driving the tension and fear in the story. The Inquisition is relentless, and a mage who is discovered may face imprisonment, torture, or even death. But the Inquisition is also a mirror of the character's internal struggles—how far will they go to protect themselves, and how much are they willing to compromise for survival?
- The Path to Enlightenment or Ruin: The choices your players make in their journey as mages should reflect the possibility of both enlightenment and ruin. They may find themselves on a path of personal growth, discovering deeper truths about reality and themselves, or they may fall into the seductive allure of corruption, power, and selfishness. Allow your players' choices to influence the direction of their character's development, and present them with opportunities to change, evolve, or succumb to the darker aspects of their magic.
Tips for Players
- Embrace the Role of the Mage: As a player, your character will likely be a part of a Tradition that governs how they approach magic, knowledge, and the world around them. Embrace this role and use your character's traditions and philosophies to inform your decisions. Whether your mage is a devout scholar of ancient knowledge, a rebel seeking enlightenment, or someone tempted by forbidden power, your beliefs will guide your actions.
- Balance Power with Consequences: Magic in Dark Ages: Mage is powerful, but it is not without risks. Be mindful of the consequences of using your magic—too much use of Paradox, too much defiance of natural law, or too many actions based on self-interest can lead your character down dangerous paths. Strive to balance the temptation of magical power with the cost it exacts from your character.
- Collaborate with the Storyteller and Other Players: Dark Ages: Mage thrives on storytelling and character development, so work with the Storyteller to weave your character's personal narrative into the larger story. Similarly, collaborate with the other players to explore the relationships between your characters, their Orders, and their beliefs. A mage's path is often a lonely one, but the bonds between fellow mages can be a source of both strength and conflict.
- Remember the Fragility of Mortal Society: In Dark Ages: Mage, mages live in a world of fear, ignorance, and superstition. The mortal population is suspicious of magic and will react violently if they perceive a mage as a threat. Be aware of the impact your magic has on the people around you. Do you remain hidden and cautious, or do you openly flaunt your power in an attempt to reshape society? Your actions may have unintended consequences, especially if you draw the attention of the Church or other powerful mortal institutions.
- Explore Your Character's Internal Struggles: Magic is not only an external power but also an internal force. As a mage, you are not only battling external threats but also grappling with your own mind and soul. The Abyss constantly threatens to consume you, and your character may face moments of moral crisis or self-doubt. Take time to explore your character's internal conflicts—do they fear the temptation of corruption? Do they struggle to maintain their humanity in the face of power?
Final Thoughts
Dark Ages: Mage offers a complex and fascinating world where players can explore themes of power, responsibility, and self-doubt. As mages, characters have the ability to shape the world with their magic, but they must constantly navigate the moral and existential challenges that come with such power. The game encourages deep roleplaying, philosophical exploration, and collaborative storytelling, where every decision can have far-reaching consequences. Whether your character strives for enlightenment or succumbs to the temptations of magic, their journey will be one of both personal discovery and peril.
This guide provides the foundation for playing Dark Ages: Mage, but remember that your Storyteller will help guide the campaign and bring the world to life. Embrace the mystery of the world, the depth of your character, and the power—and dangers—of magic, and you'll find yourself fully immersed in this dark and mystical world.
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